Imperial Beach, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 69% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Imperial Beach Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Imperial Beach has a crime rate that is 3% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 333.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 333
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
21% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 49
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
11% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Imperial Beach Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
117 | +17% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
102 | +2% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Imperial Beach Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Imperial Beach Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Imperial Beach zip codes.
Imperial Beach Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Imperial Beach, CA?
Imperial Beach, CA has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 3% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 333 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 49 chance for property crime. Imperial Beach has higher crime than 69% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Imperial Beach, CA safe to live in?
Imperial Beach has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Imperial Beach is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Imperial Beach?
The estimated violent crime rate in Imperial Beach is 300.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 333 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.6 per 100K (12% above average); aggravated assault at 182.3 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 86.1 per 100K (17% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Imperial Beach?
The estimated property crime rate in Imperial Beach is 2,030.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 11% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 49 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 242.3 per 100K (10% below average); larceny/theft at 1,429.4 per 100K (2% above average); vehicle theft at 358.6 per 100K (12% above average).
How does Imperial Beach crime compare to the national average?
Imperial Beach's overall crime rate is 3% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (17% above average), while assault is 32% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Imperial Beach has higher crime than 69% of them.
Is Imperial Beach safe to visit?
Visitors to Imperial Beach should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 11% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Imperial Beach crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Imperial Beach's crime rate is 3% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.
What type of crime is most common in Imperial Beach?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Imperial Beach, with an estimated rate of 1,429.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 2% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,030 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (301 per 100K) in Imperial Beach, which is consistent with national trends.